Lance Lockhart, 60, of Omaha, Nebraska, died Wednesday, October 20, 2004, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, following a brief illness.

He was born January 10, 1944, at Lexington, Nebraska, to Theodore Arthur and Flora W. (Chester) Lockhart. Lance graduated from Lexington High School with the Class of 1962. He then went on to college at Doane College, graduating with his degree in Mathematics. He taught and coached for two years at Millard High School in Millard. Following his teaching, he worked as a contractor in the Omaha area.

In 1973, he and good friend, Jerry Dannehl, went into business together, forming L&D Home Builders in Omaha. The pair built many homes in the Omaha area for approximately 10 years. He then went into business on his own. Lance was an innovator in his building techniques and admired by many area contractors for his building skills. He worked up until his death.

He was united in marriage to Kathleen Arthur in York, Nebraska. The couple was blessed with two children, James and Jennifer. He was then united in marriage to Earlene Hilgen on April 13, 2002, at Las Vegas, Nevada.

Lance loved to exercise and jogged six miles a day. His dedication to running carried over to his daughter, as she excelled at track, even receiving a track scholarship. He loved music, which carried over to his son, James, who to this day has his own band in the Omaha area. He enjoyed entertaining friends, cooking and reading. He was still very close to many of his high school friends and met every year for skiing trips. Lance was fun-loving, quite a jokester and never knew an enemy. He will be so missed by his loving family and many friends.

Survivors include his wife, Earlene Lockhart of Omaha; son, James Lockhart of Omaha; daughter, Jennifer and Scott Ashmore of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; two sisters, Teresa and Glenn Lanman of Johnson Lake, Nebraska, and Roberta Reynolds of Desert Hot Springs, California; and two grandchildren, Katelynn and Connor Ashmore of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Flora. Services were held Monday, October 25, 2004, at 10:30 a.m. at the Berean Bible Church in Lexington with Pastor Glenn Johnson officiating. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery at Lexington. Memorials are kindly suggested to the Lockhart family for designation later. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington was in charge of arrangements.